UK-based confectionery and bakery company Regal Foods has acquired local peer Love Handmade Cakes for an undisclosed fee.
The purchase is set to “boost and compliment Regal Foods’ portfolio of bakery brands”, according to the Yorkshire business.
Established in 2004 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Love Handmade Cakes (formerly Exquisite Handmade Cakes) produces a range of over 100 cakes, traybakes, individual cake bars and muffins for foodservice wholesalers, coffee shops and distributors.
Love Handmade Cakes operates from its site in Leeds city centre. The site comprises a bakery, a warehousing and distribution facility and office space. The company employs 20 staff.
Regal Foods said the move will provide “opportunities for expansion, development and growth in the foodservice area of the business and its new desserts division”.
Younis Chaudhry, CEO of Regal Foods, said: “Long-term growth through acquisition is integral to the group and our family of brands, putting us in a position where we can offer our customers a solid mix of quality bakery products for both foodservice and retail.
“Love Handmade Cakes brings us new opportunities to develop and introduce a new range of products, including individually wrapped flapjacks, wrapped cake bars, muffins and other “countertop” favourites. Servicing customers on all business levels remains a key focus of ours and the acquisition brings us the ability to further reinforce this.”
When asked about the company’s M&A strategy, a spokesperson for Regal Foods told Just Food that it “will always welcome opportunities through acquisition that will strengthen our brand and services, but more importantly create a solid food offering for our customers”.
Love Handmade Cakes will continue to operate as an independent business. The bakery joins companies including Regal Bakery, Yorkshire Baking Company, Just Desserts Yorkshire and The Cake Emporium in Regal Foods’ portfolio.
Regal Foods is a manufacturer and distributor of baked and confectionery products. With a portfolio of around 380 products, the business distributes food and drink to over 3,000 retail outlets around the UK and exports to over 40 countries.
For the year ended 31 May 2023, Regal Foods turned over £31.8m ($40.4m), up from £23.3m the previous year. Operating profit reached £1.1m from £940,000 the year prior.
